Sanders questions Zeldin at EPA confirmation hearing

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — President-elect Donald Trump nominated former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin—a Republican who served in the New York State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives—to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works began at 10 a.m. on January 16.

Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has a seat on that Committee. His first line of questioning for Zeldin focused on the global urgency of climate change, pressing Zeldin on the need for international cooperation. He challenged the nominee to commit to aggressive action on climate policy.

Check out the opening round of questioning from Sanders to Zeldin in the video above, or you can read the transcript below:

SANDERS:  Mr. Zeldin, thanks so much for coming in the office the other day. I enjoyed our chat. Mr. Zeldin, 2024, as you know, was the hottest year in recorded history. The past 10 years have been the hottest 10 years on record. We have seen in recent years unprecedented fires in the West Coast and in Canada, and we're seeing the horrific situation in L.A. right now. We have seen unprecedented flooding in China, displaced millions of people there. Unprecedented drought in Brazil, Africa, and elsewhere. In Southern Africa, people are dying because of the drought and their inability to grow crops. Billions of people have been sweltering in Europe and elsewhere in unprecedented heat waves. In the midst of all of that, President-elect Trump has said that climate change is a "hoax." You will be, if confirmed, one of the leading spokespeople, in this country, representing us throughout the entire world. Do you agree with President-elect Trump, that climate change is a hoax?

ZELDIN: Well, first off, Senator, it was great to meet with you as well. I believe that climate change is real, as I told you. As far as President Trump goes, the context that I've heard him speak about it was with criticism of policies that have been acted because of climate change. And I think he's concerned about the economic costs of some policies where there's a debate and a difference of opinion between parties.

SANDERS: I would respectfully disagree with you. I think he has called it a hoax time and time and time again. And I would just say for the record that—let me ask you this question, all right? Some of us have used the word "existential threat." What we're seeing in L. A. right now is Apocalyptic. And the other terrible weather disturbances—whether in the Midwest of this country, whether in many states that are represented right here, unprecedented floods in my small state of Vermont. We've been hit over and over again in recent years. Our state capital, Montpelier, was underwater recently in a way that we have not seen. Would you describe climate change as an existential threat? Meaning that there must be an urgency to get our act together to address it.

ZELDIN: Senator, we must with urgency be addressing, uh, these issues. And today, as we talk about any way at all, that the EPA can do its part to make sure that our air and water are cleaner, healthier, and safer—

SANDERS: Hang on one—look, EPA has enormous responsibilities over enormous number of areas. I'm focusing on picking up what Senator Whitehouse said. I worry very much—Do you have kids?

ZELDIN: Yes, Senator.

ZANDERS: OK. I worry—many of us have kids, we have grandchildren. This is serious stuff. This is beyond politics, my friends. This is the future of humanity. And if we do not get our act together, and that is not just the United States of America. This requires international cooperation. So let me ask you another difficult question. If tomorrow, magically, the United States Congress did all of the right things, that would not be enough. Climate change is a global crisis. It requires the cooperation of China, Russia, Europe, Latin America, et cetera. Are you prepared to represent the United States aggressively with some of your colleagues in reaching out to countries all over the world to cut carbon emissions?

ZELDIN: Senator, it's very important for I, as administrative of EPA—whether traveling to the G7 or the G20 or elsewhere—to be reaching out to these other countries to make sure that there is a pressure on other nations to do their part as well. And it will—it is my job to stay up at night, to lose sleep at night, to make sure that we are making our air and our water cleaner.

SANDERS: All right. I know it's fashionable to be beating up on China. It's good politics. They are now the major carbon polluter in the world. We have historically had that role. We're now No. 2. We're not going to solve this crisis without working with China. Are you and hopefully your colleagues, if you are confirmed, prepared to work with China to try to lower carbon emissions?

ZELDIN: Senator, on many different issues, it is important not just to be working with nations that we are the strongest aligned with, but to also be in communication and engaged in dialogue with countries that might be considered competitors and also our greatest adversaries. And right now, China is an adversary in many respects.

SANDERS: OK. I, as part of the [Inflation Reduction Act], had a provision in there—for I believe $7 billion—to lower electric bills for working class people all over this country by helping them install solar panels on their roof. We did it. My wife and I did it in our house. Our electric bill went down by 80%. Problem is, many working class, lower-income people can't afford the initial cost to install the solar panels. That's what this bill does. Can I have your word right now that you will work with me to make sure that that Solar For All program is rapidly implemented all over the country?

ZELDIN: Senator, it is my obligation on this and every other law enacted by Congress, that I will follow my obligations under the law. And when it comes to spending money, it is important that I have the ability to sit before you and account for every dollar that's being spent by the EPA. So I will make—I know that this is an important priority of you, and solar power—

(Sanders's phone rings)

SANDERS: Sorry!

ZELDIN: That's OK.

SANDERS: Almost saved by the bell! That was the fossil fuel industry.

ZELDIN: I look forward to working with you on this, Senator.

SANDERS: Thank you. Madam Chair, thank you very much.

Sen. Shelley CAPITO, committee chair: Thank you.